Getting Toby in and WIPED off out of the snow....I am Frustrated!!!!

[Sandy]

Today we are having a LOT of snow in Southern Ontario. Toby, of course, needs to go out. When he wants in, he needs to be wiped off. But....as soon as he sees the towel it becomes a game of "So you think you can get me in??" Prancing just out of reach, refusing to come in. I shut the patio door and walk away, he's jumping at the door again. Over, and over, and over. Finally I got him close enough to reach using a treat, although he certainly didn't deserve one, and grabbed his collar. Then I got him in and wiped off. I have not been this frustrated with him in a long, long time. Any suggestions? When it gets rainy and muddy getting wiped isn't an option, it's a necessity. I need to fix this NOW.

[Sandy]

Straight to the shower would mean up the carpeted stairs, down the carpeted hall, and into the bathroom. That would leave quite the mess, since there's no way I can carry him. We'll have to figure something out. I guess the problem is that up until now he could mostly just "come on in" - not much of a mess. But today it's different, and he doesn't feel like obeying. He knows he's been naughty though - he's just laying around watching me with sad eyes.

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

Oh I'm in OHIO and oh my gosh!!! Unreal snow!!!

[Sandy]

I have a patio off the patio doors, so we shovel that and the stairs down to the yard. So he has the patio to march around on and get some snow off. Today though he just would not come to the door when he knew he needed to be wiped down. I wonder if he's "off" - he hasn't eaten at all today, or had a drink. And he's been sleeping all day, except for our two walks. Either he's not feeling well, or he's feeling bad for misbehaving.

[Sandy]

The boots would work for the feet, but then I also would need to wipe off his body, as he rolls in the snow....

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Is there a laundry or mud room or even the kitchen that can be closed off and have him come in that way. we don't have snow in So CA but it can really rain and MUD!. my doodles come in and stay in the laundry until they are dry or will let me dry them. It did not take them very long to understand getting wiped = come in with us. I did not teach them this They just figured it out by having to stay in the laundry room until them got wiped.

[Sandy]

No - the backyard is right off the back of the house - patio doors into the kitchen, and adjacent to that the carpeted living room. Last night I had some success with little cubes of cheese. I lured him in with one, and then had him sit, gave it to him, and wiped him off every time he came in, even if he didn't need it. I did try to talk my husband into building a room on the back of the house though. He thought that was an expensive fix for the problem.... :)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Isn't that just like a DH! In my ideal house I would have a mudroom/ laundry room/ dog washing room that was the size of two car garage. I suggested we change the existing two car garage into that, I mean it does already have plumbing. DH did not like that idea at all either. Happy wiping!

[Nancy Cavanaugh]

Well - a couple of thoughts - you can get him a raincoat- it will keep him dry and reduce the overall wipe down. I also use microfibre towels - they are awesome in that they really pull so much more water off. and for his feet - If they are really muddy or dirty, I just dip his feet into a big pot of warm water - with a teensy bit of dog shampoo, squeeze out the excess water in the pot - and then dry his feet with the micro-fibre towel. I kind of like the idea of an addition tee hee. I have wood floors just because of the dogs. No carpet.
I guess the opening between LR and kitchen is too large for a gate? that could make things simpler...

[Sandy]

Yes, it's kind of an extra wide opening - too big for a baby gate. I'd love it if it could somehow be blocked off. I'll see about the dipping of the feet - I don't know how well that would work - he's a little spunky when he comes through the door. We are working hard on sitting and staying at the door, with limited success....... :)

[Deena Womack]

We have an extra wide opening to the living room (which is carpeted) off of the entry way. I guess it is about 5.5 feet wide. I was able to find a baby gate that extended (I bought it at a used baby store still new in the box) and it works perfectly. Evenflo is the manufacturer. The dining room and living room are the only areas carpeted and we don't use these rooms much. So I bought the baby gates when we first brought Cali home and she was at that point having accidents in the house but now it helps to keep her off the carpet while it is yucky outside.

[Janie]

We don't have snow only rain and mud.When it is muddy we take them out on a leash let them do their thing and bring them right back in. We have a big mat they stay on till we wipe their feet.